Whippletree



March 25, 1941. STRKCKLAND I 2,236,457

WHIPPLETREE Filed Jan. 12, 1939 1n venior 4522 022 JZrZZ'ZQIZd Patented Mar. 25, 1941 p w I ran-"r orrioc UiTED STATES 2,236,457 I WHIPPLETREE Alton Strickland, Middiescx,ri. 0. Application January 12, 1939, Serial No. 250,610

4 Claims. (61. 278-95)) My invention relates to improvements in whipaccordance with the adjustment, the engagement pletrees, and particularly to means affording adof the slots. in the ends of the rod I5 with the foot justability as to width and compensatory action portion of the bars. 1 and 8, keeping the bars between the component parts by reason of flex properly spread and aligned without rigidity. It

5 ibleness, and an important object of my invenis also obvious that the connection between the 5 tion is to provide a simple, eificient, and practical draft fixture l3 and the elements described is relarrangement of the character indicated which atively flexible inasmuch as the same can pivot provides for greater efliciency in the operation on the axis'of the bolt 20 and movement is proof animal drawn vehicles. vided for between the loop I! of the fixture I8 10 Other important objects and advantages of my and the rod l5. Further, a certain amount of 10 invention will be apparent from a reading of the sliding movement of the rod l5 along and relafollowing description taken in connection with tive to the foot portions of the bars I and 8 as the drawing, wherein for purposes of illustration well as a limited amount of lateral relative mo- I have. shown a preferred embodiment of my intion, are provided for by the construction and vention. arrangement of the parts described. 15

In the drawing Although I have shown and described herein Figure 1 is a general top plan view of the ema preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to bodiment. be definitely understood that I do not desire to Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken limit the application of my invention thereto, through Figure 1 approximately on the line 2-2 and any change or changes may be made in the 2D and looking upwardly in the direction of the armaterials and in the structure and arrangement rows. of the parts, within the spirit of the invention Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view and the scope of the subjoined claims. taken through Figure 1 approximately on the Having described the invention, what is line 3-3, and claimed as new is: 25

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view 1. A whippletree comprising a pair of longitutaken through Figure 1 approximately on the dinally overlapping bars forming a cross memline 4-4. her, said bars being formed with longitudinally Referring in detail to' the drawing, the numersp holes, a p v bolt v rsinc a s lecta1 5 generally designates the improved whippleed pair of the holes in the bars, said bars having 30 tree as a whole, and this is composed of the transe a ly extend-ins portions on their Outer en verse bar 6 which is adjustable as to length and a p er r arranged Substantially p allel to CO S S S of uppe and lower L-shaped members said cross member, said spacer rod being formedv I, 8 formed with longitudinally spaced h l 9, in its opposite ends with slots slidably receiving in the bar I and hole In in the bar 8, the fo t said laterally extending portions, a draft connec- 35 portions f the aid ha ed bar b i turned tion comprising a first loop loosely encircling said at their ends to provide eyes ll, l2, respectively, Space! rod and a SBCOnd p BXtending 0 t e retaining respective draft rings I3, 14. Between Gpposite Bids of Said Cross member, Said draft the said foot portions extends the rod l5 which is Connection having a portion between the ps tapered t d t pposite d th d oppopivotally connected to said cross member by said 40 site ends being provided with slots l6 which slid- Pivot boltably receive the foot portions of the respective A Whippletree comprising a pair of longitubars I and 8. Embracing the center portion of (finally Overlapping bars forming a cross mthe rod I5 and loosely spaced therefrom is the her, said bars being formed w i i l y small loop H of the draft fixture which is genspa d h s a pivot belt traversing a s ct d erally designated la and which includes the largp ir f the holes in the bars, said r havin la er diameter loop I9 which is attachable to the erallv xt d g portions on their outer ds, a

vehicle (not shown). Between the loops [1 and spacer rod arranged substantially parallel to said N3, the fixture I8 is traversed by a bolt 20 which cross member, said spacer rod being ed n its also traverses a registering pair of the holes 9 and opposite ends with slots slidably receiving said 50 It! in the respective bars I and 8. It is obvious laterally extending portions, a draft connection that by changing the bolt to different pairs of comprising a first loop loosely encircling said registered holes the device of the invention may sp rod and a second 1 0p ndin on the be adjusted to correspondingly different widths, opposite side of said cross member, said draft while substituting a different length. of rod IS in connection having a portion between the loops 55 pivotally connected to said cross member by said pivot bolt, draft rings on the terminals of said laterally extending portions.

3. A whippletree comprising a pair of longitudinally aligned bars in overlapping relation forming a cross member adjustable as to length, said bars being formed with longitudinally spaced registrable holes, a vertical pivot bolt passing through registered holes selected in each bar and securing said bars together for swinging on the axis of said vertical pivot bolt, forwardly projecting draft arms on the outer ends of said bars, a relatively rigid stretcher bar positioned forwardly from and substantially parallel to said cross member, said stretcher bar being formed in its opposite ends with slots slidably receiving intermediate portions of said draft arms with the inner ends of the said slots arranged to prevent undue laterally inward movement of said draft arms toward each other, and a draft connection comprising an element traversed by said vertical pivot bolt and thereby pivotally mounted on said cross member, said element having a rear part extending rearwardly from said cross member for connection with a drawn vehicle, said element further having a forward part extending forwardly from said cross member, said forward part comprising a loop loosely embracing said stretcher bar.

4. A whippletree comprising a pair of longitudinally aligned bars in overlapping relation forming a cross member adjustable as to length, said bars being formed with longitudinally spaced registrable holes, a vertical pivot bolt passing through registered holes selected in each bar and securing said bars together for swinging on the axis of said vertical pivot bolt, forwardly projecting draft arms on the outer ends of said bars, a relatively rigid stretcher bar positioned forwardly from and substantially parallel to said cross member, said stretcher bar being formed in its opposite ends with slots slidably receiving intermediate portions of said draft arms with the inner ends of the said slots arranged to prevent undue laterally inward movement of said draft arms toward each other, and a draft connection comprising upper and lower sections positioned above and below said cross member, said upper and lower sections being traversed by said vertical pivot bolt and thereby pivotally mounted on said cross member, said sections having rear parts extending rearwardly from said cross member for connection with a drawn vehicle, said sections having forward parts extending forwardly from said cross member, said forward parts being connected together at their ends to form a loop loosely embracing an intermediate portion of said stretcher bar.

ALTON STRICKLAND. 

